The Arc of the United States

Political violence has no place in America. Our democracy relies on safe and civil discourse. Our thoughts are with former President Trump and all who were harmed by the attack at the rally in Pennsylvania.

My name is Michkeal and in 2020, I was so depressed, unoptimistic, and unmotivated. COVID was happening, and I was working at a job that made me miserable. Before the year ended, I had been terminated from that job, and I couldn't go back to school because I had too many credit hours. I was stuck. In 2021, I joined St. Louis Arc and it changed my whole life. I joined their Board of Directors as a self-advocate; I became the president of a newly formed program called St. Louis Self Advocate; I got a part-time job with the Boys and Girls of Greater St. Louis, and I was on the committee for Disability Rights Legislative Day in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 2022, I was on a roll—not only was I on the committee, but I was also the emcee of Legislative Day, and I received a proclamation as a token of my dedication. I was awarded as a nominee at the Missouri Mental Health Champions Banquet. I also got a job as a Paraprofessional for the Special School District of St. Louis County that year. Who would've thought that a young black man on the spectrum, with ADD/ADHD and a depressive disorder, would be fulfilling all these things? But I'm not done - I want to accomplish my associate degree so I can transfer to a four-year university to double major in French and Spanish with a minor in African American Studies. After all this, I am so proud of myself. #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityPride Read more stories about people with disabilities on our stories page ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eaEyeJTq

🎉BIG NEWS! 🎉 Last night, thanks to your advocacy, members of Congress removed a harmful provision from the Appropriations bill that would have allowed the continued use of electric shock devices at the Judge Rotenberg Center. The disability community was specifically mentioned and thanked for meeting with all members of the committee to educate them on the provision. We are grateful for your continued advocacy to keep people with disabilities safe! #StopTheShock

Independence is not a privilege; it's a right. “What if I was able to go across the country for the few years needed for my grad school? What would my career look like?” Zoe’s opportunities for grad school and an eventual career are limited because, as a person with a disability, she relies on support from Medicaid to live independently. If she were to move to a different state, she would risk ending up on a waiting list for services. It shouldn’t be so difficult for people with disabilities to access the support they need. Take a minute to use our easy form and send a message to Congress that #CareCantWait! https://lnkd.in/eRgxNDVZ #WeActWednesday

DON’T MISS OUR SUMMER SALE! ☀️🏷️ Use promo code LI24 at checkout to save $30 on our online Special Education Advocacy Curriculum (available in English and Spanish!): https://lnkd.in/eikHZuCu Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or non-attorney advocate, this course will help you gain a better understanding of the special education basics. Start now to become a stronger, more knowledgeable champion for students with disabilities! You will learn about: ✏️ Building a foundation for advocacy ✏️ The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ✏️ Early intervention services ✏️ The anatomy of an IEP ✏️ Section 504 ✏️ Procedural safeguards ✏️ And more! Sale ends 7/31.

Hello, my name is Ashley Sattler. I am a young adult with autism, ADHD, and an intellectual disability. I currently live in Beaumont, TX. I’m proud of my art and promoting myself. I work for a shirt company called We Can Crew. I draw designs on my iPad, which come to life on a shirt. What I really love is making a difference in the world because I love creating beautiful things, and I love promoting advocacy through what I design and do. I designed a communication board for the Beaumont Children's Museum. The communication board is a beneficial tool that helps others who are deaf and can’t fully communicate what they want. It gives them a chance to connect with the world. It has everyday pictures and sayings on it, and they can communicate with their parents or their guardian. I work and volunteer at The Arc of Greater Beaumont. We serve any individual, whether they are young, teens, or adults. It’s a place where a community of individuals with different disabilities can grow and prosper in everyday activities and functions. #DisabilityPrideMonth DisabilityPride

3 DAYS LEFT to stop the shock & abuse of people with disabilities! On July 10, the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee will vote on a bill that, if passed, would prevent a ban on the electric shock devices that are still used as behavior modifications for people with disabilities. We have been working for decades to stop this, and we’re so close. Please contact your member of Congress on this committee NOW and tell them to stop the abuse of people with disabilities once and for all! 1️⃣ Check to see if you have a member of Congress on the committee that’s voting on this bill: https://lnkd.in/e4iZY-UA 2️⃣ If you do, send a message NOW: https://lnkd.in/esmQbQUR 3️⃣ Share this post to encourage others to take action! #StopTheShock

Announcing our 2024 National Convention keynote speakers! 🎤 Dr. Hassan M. Abdulhaqq is a consultant on transforming workplace culture and a diversity, equity, and inclusion expert. He'll share how emotional intelligence can make your advocacy work even better—whether you’re a professional, self-advocate, or family member. Joze Piranian is an award-winning motivational speaker and comedian who talks about inclusion and resilience based on his own life experiences as a person with a disability. He’s on a mission to change our relationships with fear and discomfort and help us embrace our authentic selves. Join us in Columbus, Ohio, this November to hear from these inspiring keynotes and other thought leaders and advocates as they share insights and experiences aimed at enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Save up to $200 with early bird registration! https://lnkd.in/eWGnw__2

In the spirit of celebrating independence, we celebrate the important freedom that programs like Medicaid home and community-based services and Supplemental Security Income support people with disabilities to have. For people with disabilities, that freedom means having the ability to: 🎇 Have jobs 🎇 Live independently 🎇 Participate in their communities 🎇 Maintain social connections 🎇 Engage in meaningful activities You can make a difference by advocating for changes that support independence for people with disabilities by joining our movement ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eZyvgjf4 #WeActWednesday

Kyle kicks off #DisabilityPrideMonth with a must-hear message: "People with disabilities are just like you. We want a job, we want a family, we want a purpose in life." 🔥💯 #DisabilityPride